A Fan's Guide to American Football Defense

A video about American football defense for fans. We talk about the various positions in football, such as defensive tackle, strong safety, and middle linebacker, as well as defensive formations, defensive alignments, and defensive concepts such as man-to-man defense, zone defense, coverage shells, and blitzing.
Some questions this video answers include:
What are the basic American football positions?
What are the basic American football formations?
What is the nickel package?
What are the dime package and quarter package?
What is a blitz?
What is zone defense in football?
What is man to man defense in football?
What does Cover 0, Cover 1, Cover 2, Cover 3 and Cover 4 mean?
What is the defensive shell?
If you've watched the video and want to explore some of the topics, these videos and resources are a great place to start. I'll be updating this as I find more.
About Zone Defense: • How to Play Zone Defen...
About coverage shells: • Football 101 Video Bre...
History of the 3-3-5 defense: • Iowa State Football: J...

[@umazayiabdulhakeem940]

I am from Nigeria 🇳🇬 and started following the NFL last year, i only saw it as a chaotic sport, but then i thought to myself there is more to this than chaos, i decided to start watching the NFL games on ESPN, and since then i have become a fan of American football and also a fan of the Cicinati Bengals. Though i am just starting to get the offensive part of the game, and this video has helped me on understanding the defensive part too. I will really like to understand the sport completely.

[@carsonianthegreat4672]

You should check out Big XII college football!

[@thezackast2752]

You caught the Bengals at the perfect time. They've been terrible for years, then all of a sudden they're good.

[@TheRealFatMann]

That’s great to hear man. Football is truly an art. Once you understand NFL Football I really do suggest picking up on College Football. Some argue that it is better then the NFL which I 100% agree with. Theirs different rules in college with the overtime and how 1 foot inbounds is a catch instead of the NFL Rule where you need 2 feet but either then that it’s the same sport. I am a Ohio State Buckeye fan and San Francisco 49ers fan. I’ve have been to multiple Bengal games considering they are a team based in Ohio. Truly amazing experience. But no where near the volumes that the horse shoe (Ohio Stadium) would bring.

[@XxxXxx-br7eq]

Hey my friend I don't know if you have access to this stuff but if you can play a football video game it'll teach you pretty much everything

[@robertlunderwood]

​@@XxxXxx-br7eq Indeed. Madden has tools designed for football beginners.

[@DamageLLC]

I’ve been a football fan for about 40 years and know most of this, however I must say this was a GREAT video in the way it describes positions, etc. What a great job

[@SportsExplained]

Thanks 🥳

[@donbags5542]

I agree. subbed.

[@aaronh5258]

How in the good lord does this guy have less than 7k subscribers?! I don't think I've ever seen such high quality content from such a "small" youtuber. What a fantastic job.

[@SportsExplained]

🥳 feel free to share & subscribe!

[@carguy4811]

2 months and about 2k more. Going to keep growing for sure.

[@marcbodis3257]

You gotta start somewhere

[@ianyapxw]

This is meant to be constructive criticism cause I'm also someone who works in content creation. I really appreciate the high quality content but the way to get subscribers is to display to your viewers that future videos will continue to provide value. Lot's of the poster's content is evergreen content, basically you should still be able to watch it in 6 months - 5 years and it will still be 95% relevant. The problem with this is 1) there can only be so many videos made about evergreen content. 2) it's hard for a potential subscriber to see that the next 1-5 videos will be relevant to them. I really enjoyed this video and I gave it a thumbs up to help this creator but I haven't subscribed (yet) because other than a similar American Football Offense video I don't actually see how I might get value from the next 5 videos he/she uploads.

[@hoose6391]

@@ianyapxw Agree with your points but subscribing costs nothing. It's just one click to support the channel getting more exposure.

[@alexwod2755]

One small thing I would mention is that an "eight in the box" formation is frequently called a "goal-line formation/package" because it's often seen when the offense has nearly reached the goal-line/endzone. A formation with lots of defenders near the line of scrimmage is very attractive in this situation because the offense, and especially its pass catchers (WRs and TEs), has very little space to work with overall and is very likely to call a running play, which is a more reliable way to gain the few yards they need to score a touchdown. However, you'll also see this terminology used in a 3rd or 4th and short situation where it is also very likely that the offense will call a running play

[@SportsExplained]

Good info, yeah!

[@terry7907]

No, it’s not. Eight in the Box is common in situations where the offense is run dependant. Look at any play, not just third/fourth and short, for the Adrian Peterson Vikings or the Derek Henry Titans. It is also used for zero blitz looks against tight formations.

[@thewalrusdragon9579]

@@terry7907 the only difference between “8 in the box” and “goal line package” is the field position of the offense. It’s literally the same package but the FS may line up deeper off the goal line. That doesn’t make it not the same thing. It just means it’s set up slightly differently due to field position. Which is the case for literally every package. A FS in a nickel package is going to line up deeper in opposing territory as opposed to their own. Doesn’t mean it’s not still a nickel package.

[@brucelee5576]

Eight in the box just means eight guys in the box dude. I defense can be in fine with 5 DBs and when an offense calls an audible to a power run they call bunch up in the box.

[@ez5324]

8 man in the box is also pretty much always the counter to 22 personnel

[@mikereiling7]

"Spy" is another thing defensive players will do along with blitzing or dropping into coverage. Spy or Key is when a defender is specifically responsible for one player on the offense. Sometimes an entire offense’s success can revolve around one specific player, so a defender will be assigned to watch and follow that one player throughout the play. Example: Ray Lewis keyed on Michael Vick all game to keep Vick contained in the pocket.

[@6955beniegn]

does anyone spy Patrick Mahomes?

[@mikereiling7]

@@6955beniegn Yes.

[@elvisfifo]

Not nearly enough

[@seanwhite1259]

The spy is ment for mostly mobile qb Vick is a good example for modern players Lamar Jackson , Jalen hurts, and Josh Allen are qbs that you need to use a spy for. Typically will also be placed to watch a gap in line along with watching the short slant cross

[@micromashington]

Adding some more info. Spying is usually referred to as QB spy, because the linebacker is usually spying the quarterback if the defense is expecting him to become the runner. Usually, the quarterback becomes a non factor to anyone on the field besides the defensive lineman. Once he takes the snap or hands the ball off, it essentially becomes 10 offensive players vs 11 defensive players. So if the QB runs the ball himself, it can really cause problems for the defense because no one is watching him. So if the quarterback is known for running, (ie. Michael Vick, Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson) a spy will be assigned to make sure the QB cannot just slip through the cracks.

[@thecheesehead5840]

You should make more videos like this for American football. I can’t count how many of my friends that aren’t into American football because of how complicated it is, so this helps them out a ton.

[@SportsExplained]

Interesting. I'm sure I'll do some more in the future. What do you think they might want, specifically?

[@thecheesehead5840]

@@SportsExplained offensive overview? Like formations, run types? etc. if u need help with research, I’m good with this stuff

[@thecheesehead5840]

@@SportsExplained how’s the offensive stuff coming along? I can always assist if you need some help

[@Messup7654]

@@thecheesehead5840 I need help this video was great I want this but more I need to learn more defensive plays and formations and tendencies and offensive tendencies and offensive plays and formations I’m watching games but there’s little content about those on KZbin

[@thecheesehead5840]

@@Messup7654 Sure what do u need further explained?

[@brianmulholland2467]

Corrections/Nitpicks: 1) The Nose Tackle isn't about the number of defensive linemen, it's where he lines up - ie right over the NOSE of the offense (where the ball is snapped). You can have a 4-man defensive line and use a nose tackle (albeit usually slightly shaded to one side of the center) and then another regular defensive tackle playing over the opposite side guard or in the gap on either side of him, and of course the defensive ends. 2) I would have liked to have mentioned in the blitz section that blitzes aren't just about numbers. While extreme blitzes can literally send more defenders than the offense has blockers, this is considered risky and is something done rarely except by the rare crazy person (show a picture of Buddy Ryan). Instead, a blitz is most effective when it is directed to attack the rules the offensive line is using to coordinate their activity. Occupy two neighboring linemen each with a man, and then send a third in between and you can get quick penetration even if you send fewer people on the other side. 3) I think the coverage portion should have mentioned 'press' coverage and explained how this disrupts the timing and route of the receiver but at the risk of big plays if he is beaten. But generally a pretty good primer for someone just learning the game.

[@SideStrafed]

i thought a 0 tech was a NoseGuard and a 3 man front was the Nose tackle?

[@brianmulholland2467]

@@SideStrafed Ugh. Thank you. I now realize I screwed up a bit. I was only thinking in terms of the 'nose' part of the conversation and incorrectly implied that the 'tackle' part came along with that. So consider my statement as pointing out that the "NOSE" part of the name generally implies the player is line up directly over (0 tech), or at most SLIGHTLY SHADED to one side (1 tech) of the center. The terms End, Tackle, Guard, and Center on the other hand ARE talking about number of linemen....indirectly. The two outermost are Ends, the next outermost are Tackles, the next are Guards, and the next is the Center. Yes, you CAN have a defensive center...just no one does anymore. On offense, where every team is required to have 7 on the line, these players are all represented, though people often don't realize that one of the WRs is often a "Split End" and the "Tight End" is the positional equivalent of the Defensive End (though their roles are not equivalent). So you can be a defensive tackle and NOT be a nose tackle even in a 3 man line (though usually you would). Likewise a 4 man line can have two defensive tackles, neither lined up over center, or it can have a nose tackle. The nose modifier just implying they are lined up over center. If you have a 5 man line, you could (and likely would) have a nose GUARD. If you had a 7 man line (and in the distant past they did this pretty regularly as I understand it), you could have a defensive center. It feels redundant to call him a nose center, and I've no idea if they did as I'm not THAT old. And to make all of that more confusing, we often refer to a player by the position he usually plays even if he's not lining up there. So a linebacker who walks down and lines up on the line with the defensive line, we often don't then adjust his and everyone else's names to account for that. We just say there's a linebacker on the line.

[@spud3607]

As an NFL fan in England I often wondered what a "Nickle package" was. Thank you for this concise explanation.

[@steveaustin2686]

I'm not sure everyone knows where nickel, dime, and quarter come from. Nickel, dime, and quarter are coins in US currency. A nickel is 5 cents (pennies) and a dime is 10 cents. So 5 DBs is a nickel defense and 6 DBs is a dime defense (next biggest coin). A quarter defense is 7 DBs (next coin after dime).

[@spud3607]

@@steveaustin2686 Thanks Steve

[@steveaustin2686]

@@spud3607 You're welcome. It took me the longest to realize that a pound and a quid were the same thing. I'm still not sure about shillings. :)

[@sholtounwerth9269]

I appreciated the use of Iowa State in some of the clips. One of the best defenses in the Big 12. Go clones.

[@obiwannabe360]

go clowns!

[@stefanschneider3681]

Well done, being from Switzerland in Europe it really helps. Although I've been following American Football for years there were still many things to help understand it. But when watching a game live it all just happens so quick it's still hard get the schemes! I often wonder "Why is this guy totally open in the end zone?", then I go back and back again and back one more time and sometimes I get it.

[@brianmiller1077]

It can be several things that lead to a "wide open" receiver Blitz from a safety didn't get to the Quarterback in time. Defender literally falls down Miscommunication between defenders Misdirection/trick play by the offense Play goes on so long the defensive scheme breaks down (most passing plays the QB is throwing the ball in under 3 seconds (2.5-2.7 seconds in 2022)).

[@witherkay]

This is great stuff, man. Takes a real talent to make complex information this easy to digest. I've been watching NFL from afar (in the UK) for more than 30 years, but because it's not in our schools or on our TV to the same degree I'm always playing catch-up on terminology and tactics. So I still managed to take a lot from this 'beginners' guide. Looking forward to more on this channel.

[@RodericSpode]

Several years ago my niece's male friend from England was visiting her. He was an NFL fan, so I took them to a Bengals game so he could experience a real game. During the game I asked him if he understood all of the penalties. He responded "I think so, except I don't really understand pass interference". To which I replied, "You really are an NFL fan".

[@carlo.studentsworld2904]

Spectacularly clear. Thank you so much.

[@taylorjensen2787]

Truly high quality. Very concise.

[@johannesmichaelalhaugthoma4215]

Outstanding summary! Great work!

[@syf13]

Your videos are so helpful! Thanks so much for making these!

[@titleloanman]

Fantastic work here. Please do more!

[@MikeSimoneLV]

This is great! Can't wait for your follow-up on offense!

[@Dodoskee]

Thank you! Great video, very clear and informative.

[@jordasch]

These are great, man. Well-edited, great style. Please do more!

[@thahatchi]

I applaud you for your efforts in this video. Thank you!

[@globes179]

You're an outstanding teacher. Keep it up!

[@mattlies7426]

What a wonderful and thoughtful video!

[@18outof20]

Brilliant work!! Series please. Gradually getting more advanced.

[@mdstrada]

I’ve been a football fan for a long time and found this to be the best description of basic defensive formations I’ve seen. I especially appreciate the use of actual game video - it’s really hard to convert a description using Xs and Os to understanding what you see on your TV. Thanks so much for this!

[@BrianMontesQ]

Thank you for this! Coming over from regular football, the man-to-man coverage vs zonal coverage was familiar to me, I love these similarities. You made this so clear, really appreciated this!

[@kaelwarren3721]

Been fan for long time, but this was an absolutely great video, looking forwards to an offensive video!

[@nathanw.5367]

This was really good man! Thank you!

[@dawnie5980]

Really great Summary. I am truly impressed, it´s easy to understand and includes the basic stuff so someone new can easily follow a game afterwards. Keep your good work up!

[@damioncjm]

Football fan since SB 99 and this is a great explainer for a beginner

[@felipelourenco8882]

Best video I've ever watched explaining football concepts! Amazing video! Thank you and keep it up!!!

[@kaimichael]

This is beautiful bra! You explained everything so throughly, well, and even slowed it down and took the time to label each position and using game videos to help! Ima show this to my kids man, to help them learn the defensive positions as well!

[@idatekatemoss]

You have new sub. I have tried to explain this to my dad for time but I think you just did it helluva lot better inside 15mins. Love your work, bruvva

[@jenso413]

really great video, I’ve been watching football for years and didn’t know some of this stuff. thanks!

[@joshuawalter3728]

Phenominal video man. Great job explaining the meaning behind the names of defensive formations particularly-I’ve always been confused as to what they meant. Keep up the awesome work!

[@wtchapman]

What a wonderful explanation! Thank you, thank you for increasing my football-watching enjoyment!

[@tyeikenberg8938]

Excellent video. You called it a basic run down of defense but you pretty much explained everything someone needs to know.

[@benH215]

Please do more of these for American Football. This was by far the most succinct video I've seen on this!

[@jayj3612]

Good stuff man, clear and helpful

[@space_mans]

this is the single most helpful video ive found about football details, maybe ever. what a great video

[@kdotrukon]

Thank you for this video! Even watching CFB casually for several years, the defensive schemes and roles are still a bit difficult to know offhand compared to the offensive ones. This video was really useful for understanding some of the conversations around this year's bowl games. Love your work!

[@VanessaDMusic]

This video is incredibly helpful, I’ve been trying to understand NFL defense, but so many videos make it so complex to understand this is one of the first ones I could actually understand and you explain it in such a perfect way. Thank you so much

[@leonrobinson2053]

good explanation, doesn't require it to be anymore complex than this. Good Job

[@KeithCooper-Albuquerque]

Very good overview of American football defensive topics! You are thorough and well-spoken. Great stuff!

[@doodforreals1755]

I'm just starting to get into football and this was a big help! Cheers!

[@mz7023]

Amazing video, helps a lot. Thank you!

[@bobmurphy2216]

Excellent explanation! High quality video. Understanding the tactics takes watching the game to a whole new level.

[@CosmicRideMusic]

Excellent video, lots of basics, really explained things well and helped me clear up some confusion I had with defensive terminology. Warming up my madden emulator!

[@robertroy1878]

Awesome job explaining this.

[@johnnyt7067]

This was really excellent. Hope you continue this series. Would love a version of this for offence too. One thing I would recommend is for you to group your videos into playlists for the different sports.

[@EmraldNut]

MORE. This was REALLY GOOD. Basic terminology of football is complicated. You did a great job of breaking it down.

[@garyspeed8961]

Great summary for this Aussie following the Eagles and Jordan Mailata

[@jackryan6446]

Even though I already knew all of these basics, it was an enjoyable explanation. cheers

[@danferesp]

Thanks for the such an informative explanation. As a long time fan, I was always mystified by analysts using different terms for things that looked pretty much the same to me, and always thought I was missing something. Great content! Thanks

[@robote7679]

This was a fantastic video. I've been watching football for the last 37 years and I learned more about the defense in this one video than I've managed to pick in all those years just watching games. Thanks so much!

[@ShutUpFootball]

Great job. Explained very well.

[@phxapocalypse73]

Thanks for this video! I now understand a lot more things about the defensive side of the ball. You earned a subscriber!

[@Boatsman99]

Thank you for great video. Very easy to follow. Please make a similar video for football offense.

[@robscott9414]

Superb video! It really does take a lot of skill to distill enough to keep things concise, but not oversimplify things either. Well done! This does scream out for an FGAFD 201 video going over deeper defensive concepts like zone blitzes, robbers, shading techniques, the 46 defense (it's not what most think it is), sky and cloud calls, rotating zones, and pattern matching.

[@_rivz_ye]

Thank you a lot! Huge football fan but never really knew what defense positions did besides try to protect and stuff. Awesome video!

[@seanwhite1259]

Great video! Really good indepth beginners guide. There so many plays and techniques in football along with individual team schemes. The biggest thing to tell people getting into football or wanting to learn more is that the defense player talent in skill comes into there schemes some teams run zone or man or a split between the 2 which Is a more complex play design. Loved the video keep up the great work

[@cmjballer]

Honest to god I hope this person makes more of these.Whenever I try to watch it with my family in gatherings I don't understand anything that going on and when I try to ask whats happening they seem frustrated for me even asking as if any of this is common knowledge. Thanks to this video I can get a deeper understanding of the game and be able to like it a little more.

[@florianwendorff6236]

Great video! I'm quite new to football and this helped definitely to grasp what is happening on the pitch.

[@user-sm2kq6fr7c]

This was actually really helpful thanks

[@jsong8584]

Wow this clip is really easy to understand! As a newcomer, I could understand basics! Good work!

[@m.hernandez1404]

Defense, specifically the linebacker position has always been my favorite. I feel like defense is more difficult because you have to react to the play and react fast. Thanks for a great video!

[@christophe7736]

for a guy from Europe like me, this channel is especially great . i hope more videos about baseball . great content

[@tagkaz]

Very helpful video. Im waiting for this kind of video about offence

[@emilianogonzalez4333]

As a football expert myself, I applaud your lesson. Very informative 👏🏼

[@F0rger513]

I had a basic understanding of football (knew basic positions and functions) but I could never figure out different schemes or coverages. Thanks for breaking them down!

[@ashtonroles1797]

this was the most helpful video ive ever watched. expert!

[@brandongillette6463]

Really good nuance in here. Just in my lifetime I've seen so many defensive packages that treat OLBs like DEs or MLBs like safeties or have hybrid LB/DB players that respond to TEs in the pass-game. It's so easy to either oversimplify or get lost in the woods. This vid walks the line nicely.

[@SPENNYMIKE]

Very informative video explaining NFL defence basics. Particularly useful to non American NFL fans such as myself. 👍

[@mytyhwh]

very well done in explaining defensive personnel and formations. I have played and or watched my whole life.I think you left out the right amount of things so as to make it easy enough to get the basics down and then after watching a few games they can move on to class 201

[@joakimix1]

Would love to see a follow up to this! I'm a somewhat casual fan but I was familiar with everything up until the meaning of "cover 0" etc. And then the video ended. Please make a part 2! Your videos are great and super easy to understand.

[@27peted]

Great video buddy!! Enjoyed it.

[@Krorhodium]

This is so awesome. How about one for the offense? My knowledge just skyrocketed with this video

[@garyallen6486]

Teaching my wife, son, and Mom football now that we live in a market where there is an NFL team… offense, they basically get, but defense has proven harder for them to learn and for me to explain. Shared with all three of them, as this is a really good intro guide. Thanks for this!

[@mazafhakar3971]

Brilliant. Much appreciated.

[@jenniferfairburn2353]

I think I spent the whole video saying arghhhh! Yeah oh I get that! Thanks for helping this Aussie understand a game I love so much better. Hope to get to USA in near future to see a live game. Go rams 2023!

[@thesingingshrink]

Very helpful! Always wondered what Tampa 2 was!

[@ThaClancyFam2]

This was great. I’ve never quite knew the “cover” defenses.

[@nfslpu]

I've only really been following the NFL properly for a couple of years but this video has helped me understand so much more! Thanks for this - excellent content! Any chance of a follow up with a guide to offence?

[@tylerljohnson]

Love seeing Iowa State used in examples.

[@Lcngopher]

The university of michigan had a wide receiver switch to playing defensive back this season and he has done a great job at the trasition

[@jasongoin769]

Very excellent video. My son stated playing high school football last year and I want to be able to understand football better and possibly help him.

[@Fuegopaintrain]

One thing that many of us refer to when talking about a 2 high shell man underneath, is that we will call it cover 20: 2 deep, 0 underneath or Under 2 man (self explanatory) this helps clear up any confusion from a normal cover 2 which is a zone scheme

[@meredithlyon3142]

These videos are so well done!

[@SportsExplained]

Thanks 😊

[@MrWigglesWorth]

I would probably add a bit more about concepts used by the front 7 (or front 6 as is more often the case these days). Things like 1/2/3 technique, what a "stunt" is, gap assignments, setting the edge in run plays and keeping contain in pass plays. Maybe a quick word on the strengths and weaknesses of man vs zone coverage, very generally: Zone can be helpful when the opponents receivers physically out match your defensive backs. It also works better to neutralize mobile quarterbacks, and is usually better if the opponent ends up running the ball instead of passing. But quarterbacks and receivers with good mental awareness can easily find holes in zone coverage. Man is useful against those smart quarterbacks and receivers, it doesn't matter how smart they are if the defenders just stick to their man. However, it only works if the defensive backs can actually keep up with the receivers and prevent them from making catches. Its also weak against mobile quarterbacks and rushing plays as defensive backs often wind up with their back to the line of scrimmage, and the offense can arrange and motion receivers to dictate where the defensive backs line up before the snap.

[@chizorama]

Gaps are definitely a huge deal, everything starts in the trenches. Definitely needs a part 2 for more advanced concepts, so much to cover.

[@chrisdauntly17]

This was the first video I saw of yours, so please do one for offensive line and special teams!

[@cookingmaterial-pycmember5536]

this is the second video i’ve watched from you, and i’m already in love with your style. i don’t know how you don’t have more subs, but i’m glad i get to watch you grow!

[@SportsExplained]

Thanks!!

[@chizorama]

Great job on the basics of D! I didn't realize how hard football is to explain to somebody till I dated a girl that never watched. So hard to detail high speed chess with 22 players all doing different things, every play is a battle.

[@Kikita-zs4el]

This was well done. I had been looking for this for while. Will be great if you do one for soccer as well.

[@Whitsoxrule1]

I learned a lot from this video! I'd heard most of these terms for schemes before but never knew what any of them meant. Now I know what to look for!

[@SportsExplained]

🥳🥳

[@jefferyb2253]

This was an excellent video you are a very good teacher! All hail the algorithm 😊😊😊

[@chuckhepler4157]

I’ve been watching football for sixty years (I’m 72) and still picked up a couple things. Excellent Also, I appreciate that you didn’t stumble and fumble and mumble just to fill time to get a longer run time. Also there was no obnoxious, blaring “music”. Just good, relevant, meaningful content. Thx

[@judpe8929]

Who Dey great video, you should do one for offense and special teams

[@moldy13]

very interesting and well done. would love to see you do the offensive side of the ball.

[@azdma7092]

Never watched American football before (more of an association football fan), but I really like this video since it made me a bit more knowledgeable about this sport. Could be useful if I feel like playing Madden one day.

[@wealthychef]

Very nice and handy video, thanks

[@bailey9394]

This is going to help me maintain my unbeaten record against my friend in Madden 17, great video!